FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 30 May 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

TO-DAY'S MATCHES. SENIORS. Star v. Tiikiip-i, at Western Park (referee, Mr. ]!. i'etty); Okato v. Inglewood, at Inglewood (referee, Mr. W. Hock); Clifton v. Stratford, at Stratford (referee, Mr, P. Spurdle). FIXTURES FOR NEXT WEEK. THURSDAY OR WEDNESDAY. •JUNIORS. Stratford v. N.P.H.S., at Stratford; Star v. Tukapa (Star match); Clifton v. Inglewood, at Waitara. SECOND JUNIORS. Clifton v. Star, at New Plymouth. SATURDAY. SENIORS. Tukapa v. Okato, at Okato; Clifton v. Inglewood, at Waitara; Star v. Stratford, at New Plymouth. REPRESENTATIVE FIXTURES. The following representative fixtures have so far been arranged:— June 3—v. Wanganui, at Wanganui. June 11 —v. Wairoa sub-Union, at New Plymouth (B team). June 24—v. Wellington, at Hawera, June 27—v. Wanganui, at Hawera. July 25—v. Manawatu, at Taranaki. July 25—v. Auckland, at Auckland (B team). I Aug. IJ—y. Wairarapa, at Taranaki. j Aug. 20—y. Canterbury, at Taranaki. Aug. 23—v. Auckland ait Auckland. Aug. 27—v. Southland, at Taranaki. Sept. 10—v. Wellington, at Taranaki. Sept. 17—r. Taranaki, at Taranaki. i The last named match will probably depend on whether Taranaki still retains the Ranfurly Shield. POSITIONS OF THE TEAMS. SENIORS.

NEWS AND NOTES. .Next week's junior matches are set dowij for decision jn ci.ther Wednesday, June 3, or Ttarsdiay, June 4, and the reason for thiis is that different 'arrangement fur keeping itihe King'n Birthday holiday are observed. in ' the various North Taranafci towns. Clubs interested will .therefore iwutua-tty arrange the fixtures. 'ilhe Hollowing teami will represent Tukapn against Star this afternoon: — Webster, Lovcaidgp, Btohr, MeAUum, Tocker, Brown, Perry, Kay, Morshcad, Gs'tihrist, Ward, Hawkins, Davidson. Wvllie, and Speigit.

Considerable interest attaches to the ! matches to be played to-day, as the match between Clifton and Stratford at the inland city will give a pretty sure guide to the ultimate division winner, as all last year's Thursday teams will have met each other. Should Stratford suci '. : ed in lowering the colors of the grci 'i and golds, they will have a commanding lead. Okato and Inglewood meet at Inglewood. This, too, should | give some indication of the Sole Cup [winners. Inglewood at present hold it, .ami have beaten Star, the cither eompeti- | itor. as also have the coastal team. The Star-Tukapa match also will not be devoid of interest. The meeting of these old rivals always provides a keen go. -and though Tukapa have a superior team at present, yet their opponents will make them go all the way. As anticipated last week, two of the matches provided keen contests, whilst the .third proved rather a run away. The piece do resistance was, of course, the Stratford-Tukapa struggle. Owing to the late arrival of the latter team, it was only possible to play spells of 3.T minutes. The. weather unfortunately, though line in other parts of North Taranaki, was wet in. Stratford, making the ball greasy, and it was to the excellent handling of the leather under these conditions by the nippy Stratford backs, combined withHhe rousing rushes of their forwards, that the home team owes its victory. The local backs supported each other well, and threw the leather about grandly, but there was ton greait a tendency for play to travel across lield instead of running straight. kSt.i'iutfoiYl well dwerved their victory, jiind had they run straighter the margin of points would have been greater.

All Stratford backs played well, hut oitug. the ex-Wollingtonian, shone out. lie is a welcome acquisition to Taranaki, and should easily keep his place in the representatives. Anion" the forwards Dewar. Uigginson and Smith shone out. The last-named plaved a great frame at lock, his knowledge' being »f great assistance. He may be of use to the representatives again later in the season. Bonner, at wing forward, played a line, dashing game and was always on the ball. Brown, at Waif, played a great defensive game. He did not seem: ipiiite at home with Uhe greasy ball. Toelicr, at five-eighths, was .ill at sea, his defence, ton; ivw weak. Stohr did nut handle the ihall any too well either.

lie had lia-rd luck with 'his kicks, too. Time after time, he tried at goal, and

nmmija-tl It. jjct nfl round it, once even «<>in? under Hit: kir. For a liiuvy ball it was a line exhibition, «nut with a liMle liul;. lie easily have altered lilt: result.. Lovtiridge (lid not have

many tlumera of stowing his scoring calibre. with made n.o mi-take witlii the opening 'lie fjot. He was Hit' lit'st of the fihi;i'('-(|iiartcra. McAHum,, on the other wing. p'ayed well, hut was out of his place. Tukupa forwards did noi appear to wake up until (he (-losing Mages of tlw' game. Had ,thev shook (hcmselvcs throi'frfiout the the result illicit have been different. Morshead appeared to have the dai-h and was always on the kill. Verrv. Wank Hawkins and flilchrist nUo .-"liouc Olllt.

The Tn.ttlewofldi-Slar game proved also very close, tlift country team coring a win in (lie dos-intr Plages. liis'cwooil are a much improved team this year, and once their hacks obtain combination and lose the desire, to go on Uleir own, shou.'d .bo. (hard to beat. Hayuor brothers were the pick of Hie bsuk». Smith was inclined t'c be too selfish.

The forwards were too liearj and

dashing for fc't.ir, Oldo'ii'j Kara'as and Rus.-.eM being perhaps 'the pick. Star seemed (unable to pulj themeelvus together. Skipper, Orroll, Tito ii/iikl .Mana played wel;!, but were unable to g'ob going. Box playal -a safe, game at lull back. Jury, Henry and McKay » i.'k: : lie.-.it of the Star pack. Newell, who played: his first game for Sifcar, was conspicuous 'cm tllie wing, but his tackling Jacked' judgment. The main feature of .tJw game between Okato and Clifton on iSuturday last, was the work fff .the Clifton backs. The throe-quarter .line—Goodwin, Abbott, and Bertrand played mudli better than in t'heiir match the previous week, but the weakness of opponents 'c-f course meant additional lime-light for tlwnli

Bertrand, ait the outlet, was uncertain, but ns the game proceeded, gained confidence, and put in some, very nice play. Abbott p'ayed a slashing though inclined towards sellishiiess; Goodwin played a first -mte game, and was always in his place. His line kicking was alt tiimw uncertain. Kupc at five-eighths stood out above hia colleagues. He ployed a washing game, and insufo -many openings, consistently feeding the three-quarter line. C. Rai.t played a reliable -gume at fill tack, and Crowley made a useful half.

Of tlie forwards, R. Tayfor displayed siome dash on the wing, and Birkejtt and Benntsen shewed up well, Cain was rc-Jiab.-e, but took the game easily. Tlie Okato backs were -not maicii in the limelight. R. Julian, who played full back during itilie first spell, proved far too slow for ithe position, and in the second half was wiseiy removed to the fonvand division, where his wp-ight toWL

Tlhe -vanguard, headed by the redoutable Carey, were a solid willing tot, but were defeated by superior tacftice. They «biowed flashes of good pjay in the second half of the -game, and towards the ctnd ninrte a fine attempt to lietnieve tKhe position. At times they threw the (ball about quite a lot. Carey played a workmanlike game. Jmlian, Hill and Burrows wer,e the best of the others.

Aylimard audi Eustace, the two wing three-quarters, putt in occasional flashes of nice play. Aylward displayed quite a tarn of speed. Ken Andrews;, -who in the second, half replaced JuEian at full tack, did very welll in that position. llhie appearance of the (representative telams will undoubtedly cause considerable «ctni|mejit), particularly among those 'broad-minded' enthusiasts "who cannot see ibeyond : their own dubs. On the' whole, it must he conceded that Messrs. Malone, MynCitt, and McKay, the selectors, have done t'lioir work well, Thins early in the season it lias been inijposeiteo for the selectors to see all the players in action and the teams have necessarily been picked <w fast year's porfcrmanices to a great extent. It is certain that there arc numbers of players who have been overlooked this time who will Ih'ave opportunity of working their way info (the team to defend the Ranfurly shield. Taraitfilii will ■ require a lot of players tilnis year, as it will proym -a strenuous Benson, judging by ttilic matches already arranged, amf the probability that, in addition, we may liuvve visit.s 'from Bugler and Poverty Bay. The B team also will have several engagement. It is pleasing, therefore, to note that thore promises to be no dearth of players, ospajnlly among the forwards. There is l a chance', Ibbwever, for one to qualify for (the position of half back. Brdwn, of course, is a top notolier, but in the event of him going to Awtrafe, io;r being disabled', ■the men in sight to rep!acie Mm are wuclh helow the calibre required. Reverting to the team selected against Wangwntii, it is a real gaod< one, and among the tacks no exception can be taken ito the ireciwjioii of anyone but OoJman. On last year's form the writer expected to see George Ming (that position. However, Column has emerged from his retirement, thi.-i ycax, a.nd must be playing well enough to satisfy the southern selector, who lias seenlboth him and George in 'action t-hiis season. Roberta has been clrosen, but as foe s nolt too wit just now, may not travel. Young, th-s Wwimaite lock, oho finds a phice. in the foirwaa-ds. Lnst tcason Tarannki wrts short of a lock. This year, with- both Smith and Young on .the scene again, if they can strike i)orm, Taranaki tlliould be all rfgihlt in this department. The cither .forwards are all tried experienced rep. players, tat some of them will have to put 'tihieir best foot forward) if they wish to retain their portions'. The B tea 111 contains some good material. and some of its players should scon reach the A iteam. It should irive a good account of itsrff and all its members will llilave to get into form if t'liey wish to retain the seJectors' confidence, a-i other good' l men will be knocking at itihe door. Only fowr of the team that travelled to Wanganui and 1M tea last, year liiive floiund a place. Teddy Roberto, the brilliant Wellington ami X'.'W ZeaJland l Mf-batsk. was a visitor to New Plymouithi during the week. On Thursday he indulged in rfome useful practice work on I'nltokiira Paris. StMir, Brown and Love ■ridge were also out.

Nominations fOT the North Island team i'o' take part in itilie North v. i-)(»lih Island match; at Wellington on the 20tli June close in Wellington on Thursday next. Every Union will no doubt send forwtwd a Ixvtdv, and f.rmn ithe iimiltkwlh thereof Hie selectors will have .the ehoose. a itram to represent the Maud From this match the team for Australia will be picked. Tarnna'ki will probably nominate Roberts 1 , Stotir. Loveridge and Brwwn (backs'), C«uin. Dew-ar. Hawkins, and Young (forwards), and Taylor (.wing forward).

O .1 •el a •w c S •2 •u .9 I o< a 0 K. o c8 H 'o s £ o (If •<1 0 Stratford .* 2 2 22 6 4 Clifton .. 2 1 I 30 « 3 Inglc-wood .. 2 1 1 3 ■M a Okato ..2 1' 1 12 35 2 Tukapa .. 2 — 1 i 9 111 1 Star .. 2 — 2 — 8 12 0 JUNIORS.

Tukajw . 3 3 49 3 6 Stratford 1 . 3 2 1 0 34 21 4 Clifton . 3 2 1 0 .28 23 i High School . 2 1 1 0 12 15 2 Star ... 2 0 2 0 9 18 0 Inglewood. . 3 0 3 0 Q 52 0